Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard
(Oh, yes)
To love one who never did love you?
Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard?
Great God to love one who never will be true?

Well, there is a house in this old town
That's where my true love lays around
She sits down upon another's knee
(Do tell)
And tells him what she never will tell me

Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard
(Oh, yes)
To love one who never did love you?
Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard?
Great God to love one who never will be true?

The first time I seen my true love
She was a-standin' by my door
And the last time I seen her false-hearted smile
She was dead on that bar room floor!
(Poor girl!)

Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard
(Oh, yes)
To love one who never did love you?
Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard?
Great God to love one who never will be true?

Well, who's gonna kiss your ruby lips?
(Not you, sweetie!)
Who's gonna hold your little hand?
(Hand?)
Who's gonna do, well, you know what
When I'm down in that promised land?
(I will!)

Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard
(Oh, yes)
To love one who never did love you?
Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard?
Great God to love one who never will be true?

Well, don't go drinkin' and gamblin'
Don't go there, your sorrows for to drown
This hard liquor place is a low-down disgrace
It's the meanest damn place in this town!

Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard
(Oh, yes)
To love one who never did love you?
Well, it's hard, ain't it hard? Ain't it hard?
Great God to love one who never will be true?